A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/awe/

Other things happened yesterday, and I’ll blog about them later.  The important thing for right now is that it’s Kitten Thursday!!

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/empty/

Butchart Gardens!  Mom and Dad and Aunt and I trekked out to the Butchart Gardens yesterday for a sunny, tourist laden, walk-about of all that is blooming out there.  Here are some highlights:

Oh, that’s where we parked…

And this is what we had for lunch

(Mom had what I had – the pasta – which is why you only see three entrees)

(On the other hand, you only see three desserts ’cause I abstained – good thing Butchart involves a lot of walking!)

There was a little raccoon dining in our cherry tree again last evening.

And then, we called it a night!

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/companion/

Yesterday was a comedy of trying to go places that we couldn’t get to. Mom and dad and my Aunt first tried to go to Government House to look at the gardens.  There was an “event” going on there, and while we could have walked around, there was no parking for blocks!  So, we shelved that activity and decided on Plan B – take a short walk around the Castle (that’s Craigdarroch Castle – https://thecastle.ca/ –  for those who don’t know Victoria).  We didn’t go in (for oh, so many reasons…) but the outside lends itself well to photo-taking folks like my Aunt and I.

We then drove up to Church and State winery for lunch, but discovered that, while the tasting bar was open, the Bistro was…wait for it… CLOSED!!  Ok then.  Plan B for lunch.  A quick drive back towards the city and we hit the Fireside Grill.

A little Cioppino for mom, dad and Aunt…

And a lamb burger (no bun) for me (’cause I’m a sucker for fries!).

Let’s all say “YUM” now!!

Then I drove everyone back to the city, dropped mom and dad and Aunt off, and headed home.  But instead of going straight home, I thought “Plan B!” – I’ve always wanted to visit the Chinese Cemetery (http://oldcem.bc.ca/cem_ch.htm), and it was on my way home, so…

It’s a very restful place.

And finally, home…

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/summer/

So, yesterday we had mom and dad and my Aunt over for dinner and, of course,I only remembered to take pictures of the cheese.

It was a pleasant evening of (after the cheese) steelhead trout, kale and asparagus, wild rice, and cheesecake for dessert.

And after they left, I headed outside to water the yard and take a few pictures for you 🙂

Beebalm about to pop

Climbing Hydrangea in full bloom

Probably a week, but what the heck?

More roses

A little dusk sky

A surprise visitor (well, not really a surprise since there are still lots of cherries to keep him well fed)

And then, after watching GoT (of course)…bedtime!

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/aimless/

And Happy Father’s Day too, while I am thinking about it…

So, my Aunt from Texas arrived safe and sound yesterday.  We picked her up, took her back to mom and dad’s for some rest and catching up, and then headed back over later for a little ham and salad action.  Yum!!

Oh, a little wine and cheese first of course…

Then the main course!

With a little more wine, please.

After Kevin and I got home, we walked down to the Night Market (which I think has just started due to tourists and cruise ships finally being in full bore)

Still light after 9:30pm.  Love it!

Thought about hitching a ride home, but opted for walking the rest of the way instead.

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/perfection/

Today, my Aunt from Texas is coming to visit.  I can’t remember the last time I saw her – it’s been probably 30+ years!  Really?  Can’t be…

Anyway, she’s my dad’s youngest sister, grew up in Ohio, lived in Michigan with my Uncle for years (I vaguely remember there house there) and then at some point in the past few decades, they moved to Texas, near Austin.  My Uncle passed away a month or two ago, and now she is coming up to Canada for a visit.  We are very much looking forward to seeing her and showing her the sights – now, if only it would clear up and get nice (it’s been beautiful for weeks, and today is cloudy and drizzly…of course!).

It’s also Kevin’s birthday today.  I won’t tell you which one because, a) he wouldn’t want me to and b) it would tell you how old I will be in October.

Before we get to his birthday celebration (a nice dinner out to our favourite restaurant last night), I of course first need to catch you up on my walk yesterday.  Down to Clover Point, then up to Cook Street and through the Park back home.  Here are some of the sights from yesterday:

A random sailing ship

The destination:  Clover Point

I have NO idea how someone got a bike on the cliff there – it looked impossible (although it’s hard to tell from the picture here).

Another random sailing ship.

I have no idea…

Random driftwood art on a front lawn on my way to the Park

The chip trail along Cook Street by the Park

One of the Gary Oak meadows in the Park

And now, Kevin’s dinner!  We always go to Olo for special occasions and have their 5-course family meal, so we don’t have to make any decisions.

This was a really nice Pinot Noir from Oliver in the Okanagan Valley.

Appetizer plate

Yummy Pork Rinds!

Sunflower Seed Risotto – to DIE for!!!

Flank Steak (I forgot to take pictures of the Smoked Salmon which was delicious – this was delicious too)

And finally dessert!

And now, time to get ready to pick up my Aunt!!